BOONE, N.C. — On Aug. 15, Appalachian State University broke ground on a new, 85,000-square-foot multiuse indoor practice facility located on the Boone campus. The multiuse complex will replace the university’s previous Sofield Family Indoor Practice Facility and feature a 100-yard-long artificial turf field supporting multiple athletics programs.
The larger facility will also increase its scope, to serve more areas across campus and allow for public–private health care collaborations.
“This new building isn’t just about ensuring App State athletes can train and practice,” said App State Chancellor Heather Norris. “It’s also about adding to the App State Experience, broadening possibilities for students, faculty and staff to enhance their education and applied research and practice opportunities, while preparing students for the workforce.”
App State Board of Trustee Vice Chair Tommy Sofield ’76, his wife, Debbie Sofield ’77, and their family made a lead gift in 2023 that provides a solid financial foundation for the new Sofield Family Indoor Practice Facility, which will be located adjacent to Kidd Brewer Stadium. The Sofields also donated the lead gift for the previous Sofield Family Indoor Practice Facility that opened in October 2007. Tommy, who served as captain of the 1975 Mountaineers football team that went 8–3 with wins over East Carolina, Wake Forest and South Carolina, has been a successful businessman and real estate developer in Boone since graduating from App State.
Watch as App State breaks ground on its new, multiuse Sofield Family Indoor Practice Facility, which will replace the university’s previous Sofield Family Indoor Practice Facility. The ceremonial groundbreaking took place Aug. 15. Watch the video
At the event, Tommy Sofield reflected on the life-changing opportunity that his App State athletic scholarship provided and his excitement about the ability to support future students.
“(App State) saw me and said, ‘Hey, we want to invest in you and give you a scholarship.’ And that meant so much, that it gives my family the opportunity to be able to give back,” he said. “Over the next generation, there will be thousands of students who will be able to use this facility — to work hard, understand what it is to be a winner and what it takes to succeed in life.”
App State Director of Athletics Doug Gillin opened the ceremony by acknowledging the significant support App State Athletics has received for this initiative — mentioning several key contributors who were in attendance at the groundbreaking ceremony. He also thanked the University of North Carolina System, App State’s Board of Trustees and Chancellor Norris for their support and confidence throughout the planning process.
To learn more about the new Sofield Family Indoor Practice Facility and to follow its construction progress, visit the App State’s Future website.
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About Mountaineer Athletics
More than 400 student-athletes compete in 17 NCAA Division I varsity sports at Appalachian State University, and dedicated fans love to cheer them on. App State's championship football team has enjoyed unprecedented success at the highest level of Division I (Football Bowl Subdivision) with seven bowl wins in its first 10 years at the FBS level and four Sun Belt Conference championships. The Mountaineers were a dominant force in the Southern Conference for more than 40 years before moving up in 2014. App State student-athletes in all sports pursue daily comprehensive excellence in academics, competition and community involvement. All varsity teams compete in the Sun Belt Conference, except for field hockey (MAC) and wrestling (SoCon). For more, visit https://www.appstatesports.com.
About Appalachian State University
As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, cost-effective education. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.
